New York City Vision
In October 2024, I tagged along on a New York City trip with the intent to have a solo day to explore and see where the city took me. I had found my way through the subways and found delight in the flow and observation of diverse people. Often, when I am in a big city, I love the feeling of being able to wonder what everyone’s life looks like for that day. Were they going to work? Preparing for a big meeting or presentation? Were they coming back from a final exam at school? Were they leaving work early to pick up their children from school? Were they going to an interview for a job they want? Were they exhausted by the upkeep of life? Were they grieving a loss? Were they celebrating a milestone? Being a human design reflector in this magical New York City environment filled me with surprise and childlike wonder, as all their energy and emotions would reflect onto me, and I felt the juicy stories of humanity.
As I was wandering around Chinatown later that day, I found a crystal shop with a camera that captures your aura, and they give you a reading by taking your photo. While in the shop, I saw others before me get their aura picture, and I would see the beautiful colors of full blue, full purple, full red in their pictures. I couldn’t help but wonder if my aura picture would be one color only or if it could be possible to have many colors. They took my picture, and I waited for the Polaroid photo to appear. As the photo started slowly appearing, I saw red, orange, yellow, blue, purple, and green pop up. There was the element of surprise: I’m a rainbow, a prism of all the colors as I reflect those around me. During my reading, she mentioned that my energy was working towards a goal and that I am in the discovery phase of it, but that over time, it would be revealed to me. She also mentioned the sense of vision for leadership. This part stuck out to me as I have received human design readings in the past, and what has kept coming up is energy around being the type of leader and advisor that ushers new leaders forward!
I ended my day at the Happy Medium Café. This café was designed as a coffee shop theme, except the menu was a list of art mediums you could order and create. There were so many incredible options to choose from, but I was between water coloring (to challenge myself since I haven’t done that since elementary school) or collaging. After reflecting on the day, the energy of the city, and my aura reading, I chose collaging. But I thought, “Well, I’ve done yearly vision boards before, what would this vision board be for?” Suddenly it came to me; as I’m unpacking this magical day with myself, it’s a perfect time to design a vision board around what captures the essence of leadership for me.
I picked up a stack of magazines and books and started ripping pages that spoke to me. To my surprise, I found a whole National Geographic magazine with a big article on Peru. I reached for visuals of powerful women, women of color, and ancient goddess statues. Each picture captured a different energy. The woman artist sitting with her paintbrush and palette looks straight in the camera with confidence in her work and gives off the energy of “I know I am THAT girl.” AOC’s picture captures the essence of courage and strength. The ancient goddess statue with her hand on her hip and long hair gives energy of sassiness and regality. The Peruvian woman with a drink and her cultural wear gave me the energy of gained wisdom and power. Then I added elements of other energies or visions I had. The couch signifies the need to rest, the classroom seats signify speaking, and the emerald signifies the special gem of gifts I have. With each of these elements, people, and nature, it has captured the true essence of how I want to come across as someone who ushers in a new type of leadership. Rooted in the wisdom of my ancestors, I’ve built striking confidence, courage, and a beauty that draws others in. This is how I pave the way for a new kind of leadership—one grounded in empathy, boldness, and the vulnerability to embrace one’s truest self. As I embody this transformation within, I become a clearer mirror for leaders to see their potential.
That vision board sits in front of my vanity, where I spend time doing my makeup and getting ready for the day. It reminds me of how I want to show up in spaces and the reason why I have embarked on a coaching journey. It is both an honor and a sacred calling to serve as a mirror for leaders, partnering with them to reveal the answers they are seeking within themselves, so they can step fully into their power and lead from the truth of who they are.